Kansas Band Learns Algerian National Anthem to Welcome Country's World Cup Squad in Trending Video

The University of Kansas marching band learned a new national anthem to welcome the Algerian men's national soccer team to Lawrence for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Marching Jayhawks played the Algerian anthem "Kassaman" before the start of the team's Thursday practice at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, per Shreyas Laddha of the Kansas City Star and Sporting KC's Blake Aerni.

Algerian team captain Riyad Mahrez expressed gratitude for the gesture in a Friday post on social media:

Algeria opens World Cup play Tuesday with a group stage match against Argentina at the Kansas City Chiefs' home field.

The Algerian team then heads to Santa Clara to play Jordan on June 22 before returning to Kansas City for a match against Austria on June 27.